Water report is released

April 18, 2012

In compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments, Middlebourne Municipal Water is providing its customers with this annual water quality report.

The report explains where municipal water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to standards set by regulatory agencies. The information in this report shows the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2011 or earlier if not on a yearly schedule.

According to the report, the City of Middlebourne source for drinking water is Middle Island Creek. A source water assessment was conducted in 2003 by the WV Bureau for Public Health. The intake that supplies drinking water to Middlebourne Municipal Water has a higher susceptibility to contamination, due to the sensitive nature of surface water supplies and the potential contaminant sources identified within the area.

This does not mean that the intake will become contaminated, only that conditions are such that the surface water could be impacted by a potential contaminant source. Further contamination may be avoided by implementing protective measures. The source water assessment, which contains more detailed information, is available for review from the WVPBH, 304-558-2981.

All drinking water contains various amounts and kinds of contaminants. Federal and state regulations establish limits, controls, and treatment practices to minimize these contaminants and to reduce any subsequent health effects. As water travels over the surface of land or over the ground (both tap and bottled water), it dissolves naturally occurring minerals, and, in some cases, radioactive materials, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink the EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits of contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least a small amount of some contaminants. The presence of these contaminants does not necessarily indicate the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Contaminants that may be present in source water include: microbial contaminants; inorganic contaminants; pesticides and herbicides; and radioactive contaminants.

Some individuals may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population, including: immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy; persons who have undergone organ transplants; people with HIV/AIDS or other immune disorders; some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

Middlebourne Municipal Water met all other federal and state water standards for the reporting year (2011). All other water test results for the reporting year were all non-detects.

A copy of the 2011 Water Quality Report will be provided upon request during regular business hours at Middlebourne Municipal Water, 100 Main Street, Middlebourne.